In recent years, concerns about the use of antimicrobial products in food-producing animals have focused on human food safety because foods of animal origin are sometimes identified as the vehicles of food borne disease in humans and, therefore, also vehicles of  resistant food borne pathogens and resistant genetic material. The major zoonotic pathogens of concern for the development of  antimicrobial resistance are Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni. A broad spectrum of antimicrobials are in use in animals One such antimicrobial is Silver, used to treat a various infections . The current wide spread and uncontrolled use of silver may result in more bacteria developing resistance, analogous to the emergence of antibiotic and biocide resistant bacteria. This could be very detrimental to many industrial and medicinal properties that depend on the microbial properties of silver. In the present study, in order to gain an insight into bacterial resistance to silver the clinical isolates of Salmonella typhimurium were plasmid cured, the antibiotic sensitivity was tested in order to find out whether the strains were drug resistant; the Plasmid cured bacterial strains were then grown in nutrient broth containing silver nitrate, in order to determine silver resistance. To identify the protein encoded by this silver resistance determinant, a whole cell lysate was made and an SDS-PAGE was carried out. Plasmid was cured .The results of the study showed that silver resistance is plasmid encoded. A low molecular weight protein found in wild strains was found missing in the plasmid cured strains and possibly could play role in silver resistance.

A survey was undertaken to screen and evaluate the presence of organochlorine pesticide residue in poultry products. Both commercial and desi chicken eggs and meat samples were collected from Namakkal area of Tamil Nadu and analyzed by thin layer chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. Total Endosulfan in commercial chicken egg and in broiler thigh and breast muscle exceeded the MRL of Codex alimentarius. The occurrence was 50 percent with regards to broiler meat and 33.33 percent with regards to commercial egg. Desi chicken adipose tissue had a high incidence of endosulfan residue (58.33 per cent) with the levels of 28.57 ± 2.85 ppb. But the detected mean values were below the permissible MRL. DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) was detected in broiler thigh and breast meat. The values obtained were below the MRL of Codex alimentarius and EU standards. BHC (Benzene hexa chloride) was detected in broiler liver, thigh and breast meat while the per cent incidence was higher in liver (33.33). The detected mean values were below the maximum permissible level of Codex alimentarius and EU standards. Both desi and broiler egg and meat analyzed were negative for aldrin, dieldrin and endrin residues which indicate that there may be these pesticides are not used in the geographical area from where samples were obtained. The findings of this study indicates that the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues, though at low level of incidence, still continues to be a threat for poultry products, hence it is essential to have a constant screening and monitoring of these compounds in feedstuff and feed at feed mills and mixing plants so as to prevent contamination in the eggs and meat.

We estimated the incidence of clinical mastitis (CM) and antimicrobial agent (AMA) usage for its treatment in an organized dairy farm over a period of six months. The incidence of mastitis at different stages of lactation was also quantified. The incidence of mastitis was higher in Sahiwal cows (9.52%) compared to crossbred cows (3.61%). Among different AMA usage, enrofloxacin (22%), ampicilin with cloxacillin (18.57%), gentamicin (18.29) and ceftriaxone (12.57%) drugs were most commonly used against CM cases. Penicillin group and their combinations (29.43%) was found to be the most commonly used AMA for CM followed by fluoroquinolone (22%), aminoglycosides groups (21.43%) and cephalosporins group (16.86%) of drugs. Tetracyclines (9.14%) and chloramphenicol (1.14%) were least choice as evidenced by less frequent usage. From the findings of the study it may be concluded that the incidence of mastitis was high in Sahiwal cows milked with machine milking system and mastitis animals needed an average of five days treatment for clinical cure. Further, â-lactam group of antimicrobial drugs were predominantly used in mastitis treatment, despite entry of new AMA in the market.

Antimicrobials used in poultry production have the potential to bioaccumulate in poultry feathers but available data are scarce. Although feathers were processed and introduced as a protein source in animal feed, withdrawal periods were not established. Hence, an experimental trial was conducted to evaluate the residuol profile of enrofloxacin and its primary metabolite ciprofloxacin in featherof broiler chicken. Thirty six one-day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into control (6 nos) and treatment group (30 nos). Treatment group was administered with enrofloxacin at recommended therapeutic dose 10 mg Kg , through drinking water for five consecutive days from 43rd  to 47th -1 day of age, whereas control group received non-medicated water. Six birds from treatment group were sacrificed ethically and feather samples were collected at different time points during the withdrawal period at 48 hours interval on day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 post treatment. Control birds were sacrificed on day 9 post treatment. Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin residues in feather were analysed by a validated High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography Fluorescent Densitometry method. The present study revealed that enrofloxacin persisted in feather throughout the study period, where as its metabolite ciprofloxacincould be detected until 7th day post treatment and on 9th day post treatment it was below detection limit. The interesting finding is the high level of enrofloxacin achieved in feathers during the withdrawal period. Drug withdrawal times, based on the concentrations of antimicrobial residues in edible chicken meat, were not adequate to reduce antimicrobial residues in chicken feathers. As the feathers are used as a protein source to supplement feed for different food animal species (bovines, pigs, Salmons, trouts) they must be considered potential reservoirs of chemical residues that can reach man through the food chain; hence, the present study warrantsestablishment of withdrawal period for feather similar to that of edible tissues. 

The present study was carried out in eight highly duck populated districts comprised of four clusters of Tamil Nadu. From each of the clusters, 40 duck farmers were selected randomly to study their socio-economic status. Using a pre-tested, structured schedule, data were collected through face to face interview method. The results of the study revealed that 50.60 per cent of the farmers belonged to old age group (Above 45 years). Most of the farmers were married (92.50 %) and majority of them were found to be illiterate (48.80 %). Most of the farmers found to be rearing ducks as their primary occupation (84.37 %). Highest proportion of farmers (43.75 %) had duck farming experience of 37 – 55 years. The risk-taking abilities of the duck farmers were at medium level (51.50 %). Nearly one-half (48.75 %) of the respondents had contact with input dealers followed by 33.75 per cent had contact with progressive farmers for obtaining information’s related to duck farming. 

Ultrasonographic characterization of ovarian follicular dynamics was carried out in two subsequent oestrous cycles in Umblachery cows (n =10) from the day of observed oestrum (Day 0) to next oestrum. Two subsequent oestrous cycles were studied in all the animals. Out of 20 cycles studied, seven (35.00%), twelve (60.00%) and one (5.00%) cycle(s) had two, three and four waves respectively. The day at which the Wave-1 dominant follicle (DF) attained the maximum diameter varied widely from Day 5 to Day 11. It was also found that the day of Wave-2 emergence varied widely from Day 7 to Day 13 among the individual animals. The average diameters of anovulatory wave DFs ranged from 9.07 to 9.86 and that of ovulatory wave DFs averaged from 9.20 to 9.67 mm. The mean inter-oestrus intervals were significantly (P < 0.01) longer in cycles with three-follicular waves (22.17 ± 0.27 days) than two-follicular waves (19.43 ± 0.28 days). Even though follicular wave patterns were comparable with other crossbred and B.indicus cattle, smaller size of the DF and wide variation in the days to attaining maximum diameter and emergence of Wave-2 were found to be characteristic features of Umblachery cows. 

A biological trial was conducted to investigate the effect of bacteriophage on carcass characteristics of commercial broilers with or without bacterial challenge. Totally 180 day old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments designated as T1 to T5 with each treatment replicated thrice. T1 and T2 served as negative and positive control respectively, while birds in T3, T4 and T5 were exposed to E. coli on different days during 35 days course. Dietary treatments included T1 - basal diet, T2 - basal diet with bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/ day up to 7th day and 25 mg/bird/day up to 35th day), T3 without bacteriophage, T4-bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/day up to 35th day) and T5 - bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/day up to 7th day and 25mg/bird/ day up to 35th day). E. coli was introduced orally in groups T3 and T4 on day 10, while T5 on day 26 (106 CFU/ bird). The bacteriophage supplementation to E. coli challenged birds had significantly increased the weights of eviscerated carcass, giblets, ready-to-cook meat; the cut-up parts like breast, back and drumstick compared to non-supplemented group. Results shed light on the potential benefits of bacteriophage as a natural alternate approach to antibiotic growth promotors in broiler production.

Resveratrol and silibinin are natural phytochemicals with considerable anticancer properties. They induce apoptosis of cancer cells by binding to various protein targets. Hence in this study, in silico molecular interaction studies were made between ligand resveratrol and ligand silibinin with NF-kB p50 subunit and p65 subunit, MMP9, caspase 3 and Bax proteins. The in silico molecular interaction revealed that silibinin and resveratrol interacted with five receptors with a high binding affinity and docking score making them novel inhibitors against various types of diseases. 

A two-year-old female Dobermann dog was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, with a history of unilateral epistaxis, dullness, and inappetence. Clinical examination revealed the presence of ticks all over the body surface and they were morphologically identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Blood samples were analyzed for haemato-biochemical parameters and blood parasites. Giemsa stained blood smear revealed the presence of morulae inclusion over monocytes. The dog was treated with a triple therapy protocol, and supportive care was provided. The dog exhibited signs of recovery from the third day of treatment. Follow-up examination on the seventh day revealedthe absence of morulae stage of Ehrlichia spp. and a gradual increase in blood cells. 

Three cases of acrochordon were diagnosed by gross, cytological and histopathological examinations. Each case was an unique presentation, in which patient exhibited a soft, pendulous mass on the ventral thorax, right thigh and a small, firm growth on the tail. The affected animals were a six-year-old Rottweiler bitch, a four-year-old Labrador bitch and a six-year-old Labrador dog. All the animals appeared clinically normal. On gross examination, the growths were pendulous, soft and ulcerated. The cut surface appeared creamy white in colour. Cytological analysis of impression smears revealed individual to multiple spindle cells. Histopathological examination revealed a redundant dermal fibrous tissue covered by a hyperplastic epidermis. The stromal component appeared more prominent in these cases. Based on the gross and histopathological features, the cases were diagnosed as acrochordon.